AREA RESIDENTS PROTEST THE POSSIBILITY OF WAR

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Demonstrators gathered locally Monday to protest congressional authorization for President Bush to use military intervention in the Persian Gulf.

About two dozen people gathered in front of the Federal Building and visited congressional offices there. Students on the Southeast Missouri State University campus passed out black arm bands.

"Millions of people have called in to the White House and Congress protesting the war," said Fancher Gotesky, who was at the Federal Building peace vigil. "I am in that contingent. We in Cape Girardeau join the position million of others are taking."

Organizers of the local demonstration said Bush does not have all the American people behind him in his push for military action. Several indicated that while people support and pray for the troops sent to the gulf, many don't support a war.

"I don't think the President has a mandate from the American people," said Kate Lacewell. "They are divided. I've not heard of anyone supporting the idea of war. They are saying, `Let's try everything else first.'"

She was joined by her family, including a brother and a sister, at the vigil. Her brother, the Rev. Pat Wissmann, said the demonstrators are wanting the government to allow peaceful methods to end the conflict.

"We are hoping the country will not go to war, which reflects the desire of the nation," he said. "There aren't many human rights in the Islamic countries, especially for women. The U.S. is not standing so much for human rights as to preserve Saudi Arabia."

"We have become more aware of war since Vietnam. A person cannot kill another and be the same."

Another clergyman, the Rev. Craig Nessan, said he came to pray for peace and let Congress know the American people want a resolution of the gulf conflict by peaceful means. "I want to support by my prayers our American solders in the Middle East, that their lives will not be lost through a conflict that cannot be morally justified," the minister said.

Comparisons were made at the vigil of the growing number of war protests and their participants across the nation to the Vietnam War protests a generation ago. Demonstrators blocked traffic in downtown Chicago Monday and in other major cities, reminiscent of the anti-war marches and demonstrations of the 1960s.

"I am encouraged that many major religious bodies have concluded in the past decade the same thing - that military violence is unsatisfactory is today's world," said Scott Moon.

"Real peace takes tremendous commitment, work and economic costs. But it does not compare to the cost of human lives of most military action. Military violence is an unacceptable means of conflict resolution and building peace."

Participants at the peace vigil displayed a variety of signs promoting peace. The signs declared "Swords into Plowshares," "Talks not Tanks," "Wage Peace," "No Blood for Oil," "Body Bags - One Size Fits All," and other proclamations. Several placards urged drivers to honk for peace as a sign of support.

In talking with Tom Schulte, the local representative for Sens. John Danforth and Sen. Christopher Bond, the participants questioned Danforth's earlier reticence toward endorsing military action. Participant Janet Smith said the senator capitulated to the president over the weekend after having wanted to allow sanctions to work.

Schulte explained Danforth decided to vote for the use of force after meeting with the president and the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Schulte acknowledged the Senate is discussing re-instituting the draft but no formal action has been taken. A university student, Lokota Douglas, said some students are troubled by the prospect.

"Some students are concerned about seeing our peers die for something we don't believe in," said another student, Johnda Boyce.

More peace vigils are being planned locally to be held during the lunch hour each Monday in front of the Newman Center at Southeast Missouri State University.